We'll be called to worship Sunday by the worship choir singing this great gospel song by Kurt Carr. As gifted a songwriter as Kurt Carr is an artist, instrumentalist, producer, arranger and conductor, Kurt has twice written the Stellar Songs of the Year; Byron Cage’s smash, “The Presence of the Lord Is Here,” as well as his own group’s classic, “In the Sanctuary.” So broad in fact is the reach of Kurt’s music that “In the Sanctuary” has, to date, been translated into nine different languages and recorded by more than 20 different groups the world over.
Click here to hear the song "God, Great God" www.firsthurst.com/HURST_worship_resources.php
"All My Life" by the Parachute Band
John 8:36 says: 'So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed'. All My Life was written in response to the freedom found in Jesus. It's a simple song, but it's a simple message. Jesus is my freedom and my reason and I love Him with all my life.
"In the Sanctuary"
We'll be led in worship by the Crossroads youth choir. This song is also on the worship choir recording "Songs in the Key of Life"
Click here to worship along with the Hope Baptist church choir.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd-wZS0VenA
"Again I say Rejoice"
The Crossroads youth choir will share this song by Israel Houghton. We'll also get to see a video recap of their trip to St. Louis. Click here to hear Israels' recording.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmzygXtbSSI
"You Give Me Joy"
Jonathan Stockstill is the worship leader for Bethany World Prayer Center in Baton Rouge, LA. Also a songwriter, he has written or co-written over 50 songs for the body of Christ. Stockstill has played the piano and guitar for over 20 years. Son of Bethany’s current pastor Larry Stockstill and grandson of church founder Roy Stockstill, Jonathan has attended Bethany his entire life. Jonathan has a heart to train and equip worship leaders and further believes this is the generation that will usher in the return of Jesus. His music emphasizes both the necessity for holiness before God but also the urgency of speaking out for Jesus. He and his wife Angie have been married since February 2005 and together they are a fresh voice for God’s kingdom.
"Still"
… the challenge of the Church is to keep worship accessible to all people - Rueben Morgan
Rueben wrote the song "Still" as a reminder to "be still and know that I am God"
click here to read more about Rueben
www.christianity.ca/entertainment/music/2005/10.000.html
Click here to worship along with the Hillsong version
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPC5S81h7Zo
"Blessed Assurance"
The story behind the writing of "Blessed assurance" is simple, yet interesting. One day Miss Crosby was in the home of her friend Mrs Joseph F. Knapp. In the Knapp home was installed what was believed to be the largest pipe organ ever placed in a private dwelling. However, on this particular day Mrs Knapp called her guest over to the piano to listen to a new melody she had just composed. After playing the tune a few times she asked, 'What do you think the tune says?'"Blessed assurance Jesus is mine", answered Fanny Crosby, and then, drawing from her vast storehouse of Scripture knowledge, continued with Oh what a foretaste of glory divine Heir of salvation, purchase of GodBorn of His Spirit, washed in His blood.In a very short time a new sacred song was born with words by Fanny Crosby and music by Mrs J. F. Knapp.Although written as far back as 1873 Blessed Assurance still remains a firm favourite with Christians everywhere.
Click here to read more about Fanny Crosby
www.sermonaudio.com/hymn_details.asp?PID=blessedassurance#history
Click here for a sing-along version
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXh-loC8Ans
"Famous One"
Click here to listen to Chris talk about how he wrote the song in an effort to reclaim the word famous for God
www.theheartofworship.org/stories/Story-196-FamousOne-Tomlin.mp3
Click here to worship along with Chris Tomlin
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCMaOyeR9hM&mode=related&search=
"Something More"
Tami McLallen will minister this song and Kristi King will minister to the Lord through dance
click here to read Kristi Starlings' amazing story
www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2003/kristystarling.html
"Everything's changed, and I want to believe There must be a reason, there just has to be Cause my faith is strong, till it all hits home And it's not enough for me to trust When it hurts too much On the days I feel like I've failed you The days I feel I've been failed I need to praise You For I am Yours, I'm Yours Where is the power, to give what I gave Give back the strength Give back the faith I had yesterday Cause you are my God You are my Great I Am And I know I have fallen but..I have landed in healing hands On the days I feel like I've failed you The days I feel I've been failed I need to praise You For I am Yours, I'm Yours and in my fraility, you lead me to something more So I close my eyes, cause inside my heart I believe, that I'm not alone You'll always be there for me On the days I feel like I've failed you The days I feel I've been failed I know that I need to praise You For I am yours, still yours Cause I believe you lead me to something more Something more, something more..."
John Mark and his World Series championship teammates made a visit one afternoon in Beaumont to Alligator Island. Alligator Island is the largest gator breeding farm in Texas. The farm offers guided tours, including a visit with Big Al, the largest living alligator in captivity. They didn't get to hold Big Al, but probably one of his grandsons. I'm putting a picture of Big Al below. My brother Charles and I once killed a four foot gator on our lake in Florida. Each year the legend of the kill has grown. I was probably twelve and Charles was probably nine. We were paddling a canoe when one of Charles' friends stabbed the gator with a three prong gig. (To this day we're not sure of where Charles' friend is serving time). We were fortunate that the prong went through the head and served to clamp the mouth shut. The little, I mean ten foot gator kicked and splashed for a good hour before he gave up the ghost. This was around 1976, during the time when there were stiff fines for killing gators. We cut off the tail and buried little Al, I mean big Al in the brush near a drain. We had plans on eating the tail as we had been told it had been declared a delicacy by restaurants in the area. The next day Big Al floated to the top and out into the lake. There was a four foot, I mean ten foot 
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When you see both teams offer up a prayer at the beginning of the game, does it make you wonder which team God is pulling for? I keep reminding myself that youth sports is really about character development and learning the lessons of life. Baseball is one of those sports where each kids accomplishments or errors are exposed. In football, basketball or soccer a kid can be in the game and somewhat go unnoticed, but in baseball there is always the potential that you might make a costly error that is highlighted for all to see. So it makes us more 
The team always prays before the game, but I try and make a point to call him and pray on the phone when possible. I can always listen to the sermon online! If for some reason I can't John Mark will walk to where ever he's playing during the first inning and take his hat off as a reminder that win or loose we'll give God the glory. I think the movie "Facing the Giants" reminded us all to praise him in defeat as well as victory. I was blessed Saturday during the last game I'd get to watch when as the home team we had come back to carry a 6-5 lead into the top of the 6.jpg)
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